A trim and tilt system comprises a trim cylinder unit including a trim cylinder and a trim rod reciprocatingly received by the trim cylinder. The trim rod has a chamfer at distal end thereof. A trim receiver mounted on a swivel bracket has a curved, three-dimensional surface for applying a force to the trim rod. The curved, three-dimensional surface of the trim receiver and the distal end of trim rod are able to self-align so that the force applied to the trim rod is applied substantially along a longitudinal axis of the trim rod.